MUSIC APPRECIATION- MUL1010

THREE CREDITS

Instructor: Dr. Donald L. Wilner 

Email: dwilner@mdc.edu

OFFICE HOURS: TBA

This syllabus is available on-line at: http://donwilner.com/MUL1010%20NEW.htm

 

REQUIRED TEXT: Music: An Appreciation, 6th Edition, by Roger Kamien (with CD) ISBN: 978-0-07-340134-8

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007340134x/information_center_view0/

 

Other items needed for class: notebook, pen, and highlighter

 

Course Description:

This course will cover basic elements and terms in music followed by a brief historical survey of Western Music from the Middle Ages to the present.  Various musical forms, techniques, styles, and important composers will be studied.

 

Aural analytical techniques will be discussed, as the student will be listening to, identifying, and critiquing selected performances for the concert review and exams.

 

 

Course Objectives/Goals:

This course should provide the student with the intellectual and aural skills, aesthetic awareness, and historical background for a better understanding and enjoyment of the western music tradition.

The student will

A.     Become acquainted with the history of western music from the middle ages through the present, including various styles, composers, terms, compositions, etc.,

B.     Acquire critical aural analytical skills related to listening to music,

C.     Be able to identify selected recordings.

 

 

 

METHOD OF EVALUATION

 

SIX WRITTEN EXAMS    

43%- 430 points

SIX LISTENING EXAMS

43%- 430 points

TWO CONCERT REVIEWS (60 points each)

14%- 140 points

                    Total

100%- 1000 points

 

                               

               

               

LINKS TO EXAMS:

EXAM 1

EXAM 2

EXAM 3

EXAM 4

EXAM 5

EXAM 6

 

                                               

Grading Scale

 

A= 90-100%

B= 80-89%

C= 70-79%

D= 60-69%

F= BELOW 60% (FAILING)

 

Class Rules:

Please come to class on time, alert, ready to learn and to participate.  This will be part of your grade. 

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ALLOWED IN CLASS.  Please TURN OFF your cell phone prior to entering the classroom.  Don’t even think about texting during class.  If you have a reason why you cannot do this, see the instructor.  Otherwise, if you have an electronic device that becomes noticeable at any time during class, you will lose any extra credit accumulated at the end of the semester and you may be asked to leave the class.

 

DO NOT TALK IN CLASS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MUSIC OR A VIDEO IS BEING PLAYED FOR THE CLASS!  Please raise your hand if you have a question or would like to make a comment.

 

Although it is you are strongly urged not to miss an exam you will be allowed to make-up a maximum of 2 exams on the last day of class- time permitting and at the instructor’s discretion.  Please see the instructor to sign up for any missed exams as soon as possible

 

Attendance:  Attendance is mandatory.  If you miss 5 classes (fall or spring sessions) or 3 classes (summer sessions), you will be dropped from the class or you will receive an F (whichever comes first.)  If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to consult with another student and catch up on what was covered before the next class.  You do not need an excuse to miss a class.  You will be dropped if you exceed the maximum.

 

Attendance will be taken at the start of class.  Late arrivals will be recorded until 5 minutes after class has begun.  PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CLASSROOM AFTER THAT POINT!  If you arrive late more than 4 times, all subsequent late arrivals will be recorded as an absence.

 

Please do not leave during class unless it is an emergency, as this behavior will be considered disruptive and could be interpreted as showing a lack of respect, both of which are grounds for dismissal from the course.  If you leave before the end of class, you will be marked absent.

 

IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLETE ALL READING ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO CLASS.  

 

The instructor will not go over every reading assignment in its entirety, so please be sure to complete all reading assignments before coming to class otherwise you might not understand the lesson or know what questions to ask.

 

 

Concert Reviews

 

First, read the Concert Goer’s Guide and Sample Concert Report: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007340134x/student_view0/concert_goer_s_guide.html

 

Your concert review will be in essay form, approximately 500 words.  Include the following information:

 

MUL 1010 Concert Report, class meeting time, your name, name of event, location, date, and time.

 

You will comment on three pieces that you heard performed.  You might want to ask the performers a few questions about the pieces performed or any other pertinent information AFTER THEY ARE DONE (if possible). 

 

Otherwise, comment on the following for each piece selected: Title, composer, form or type of piece, purpose of the piece, tempo (fast/slow, dance, waltz, etc.), historical stylistic period and date composed, criticism of the musical work, criticism of the performance. (Note: Criticism can also be positive!)

 

You are expected to do some research for the concert.  Please include references.

 

You must attach a photograph of yourself in front of the stage to your concert review.  No other form of proof of attendance will be accepted!  No concert review will be accepted without the photograph.  Please be sure to take the photograph when it will not disturb the performance.